FARM MANAGEMENT ON IRRIGATED FARMS 
39 
becoming more popular with many growers, because it tends to pro- 
duce smoother potatoes and there seems to be less trouble with 
disease. 
Alfalfa has first claim on the farmers' time, but potatoes occupy 
the same position in their demand for water. The success of the 
potato crop is largely determined by the water it gets when it needs 
water most. Probably the most important of such periods is just 
before the plants begin to bloom when the young potatoes are begin- 
ning to form. The soil usually contains enough water to carry the 
potato crop to the blooming stage without suffering from the lack 
of it. The number of later irrigations depend a good deal upon the 
moisture-holding capacity of the soil. The last irrigation usually 
occurs the last week in August or first week in September. A uni- 
form soil-moisture condition is essential to good yields of well-shaped 
potatoes. According to irrigation experiments with potatoes in 
Utah/ excessive irrigation, or that applied later in the life of the 
Fig. 13.— Soil and weather conditions in the Yakima Valley are ideal for large yields of high- 
quality potatoes 
plant, increased the relative production of vines. The relative num- 
ber of tubers to the hill was increased by early irrigation, whereas 
the relative size of the tubers was influenced more by late water. 
Potatoes are not harvested until a week or two after the first kill- 
ing frost. Harvesting is done by means of a standard digger similar 
to the one shown in Figure 13. About 3 acres is a good day's work 
for such an outfit, and from 7 to 10 pickers are required to keep up 
with the digger. 
Care must be exercised in storing potatoes. Bruising potatoes in 
handling tends to promote disease. 
RUTABAGAS 
Rutabagas are a comparatively new commercial crop in the Yakima 
Valley. Good yields are produced and when favorable markets can 
be found the crop is profitable. 
7 Utah Agr. Exp. Sta. Circular No. 46. 
